DSLR Under $1000

Sony DSLR-A100 vs. Canon Rebel XTi vs. Nikon D80 Review

Reader Score: 8.09 (out of 10)

Head-to-Head: "There are choices for the photographer who wants a combination of manual and automatic options in a 10-megapixel sub-$1000 DSLR. In this comparison review, we're looking at the three most prominent cameras - the Sony Alpha A100, The Canon Rebel XTi and the Nikon D80. The Canon and the Sony are both under $900 online with a lens, and both offer dust removal and reduction features. The Sony has in-camera image stabilization - Super Steady Shot technology that moves the sensor in response to camera shake. The Nikon lacks dust technology and stabilization, but goes for about $1100 with a similar lens (it's under $1000 for the body alone). Is there a separate niche for each of these, or is one simply a better buy?

There will be plenty of buyers for each camera, and many happy owners all around. The cameras are not equivalent, though, and their differences are reflected in price, appropriate owners and features. The Sony Alpha A100 is intended for buyers who don't plan to buy more advanced equipment soon. The Canon certainly could be, and the Nikon is not just an entry camera, it's an appropriate backup body for prosumers and pros on a budget."

The Panasonic Lumix FX50 is an average digital camera with a few above average features and below average image quality. The camera itself has a 3.6x lens, optical image stabilization, and 3-inch LCD screen packaged in a bland design. Still, the chunk of plastic and metal is less than an inch thick and slides into pockets and purses for easy transportation.